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as far as power, the "power down low" you hear about on the SV is the torque curve, which is more biased twords the lower rpms, though not like a harley or big cruiser which has all it torque off idle and then it drops, the SV's torque curve it fairly flat though, it peaks at right around 7grand on the tachometer and then drops a little, still being pretty flat. however you wont notice at that point because the HP jumps pretty dramatically right around the 6-7k rpm range and then just keeps climbing. on the sv650s I have with 1 tooth larger sproket or whatever its called in the rear, it tachs about 5-7k rpm at interstate speeds, depending on how fast I feel at the moment. I really wouldnt worry about the power of it, at ANY point you can grab a fistfull of throttle and get away from almost anything, 600rr's included till they drop a couple gears. you actually have to be kinda carefull cause passing a truck starting out at 75mph and getting on the gas and you are 110mph when you pass the truck, oops......
as far as your legs are concerned, I ride the s model with the smaller leg compartment and I have a 34" inseam. The only problem I have found is the bars are too low for my overall preferance, they hurt after 45min or so.
but honestly, more power on the street is just greedy or bragging rights. You cant even get into 80% of that bike on the street legally anyways.

I agree, the SV has more than enough power, so much so that you cant really open it up alot without risking a ticket. Though that wont stop me from getting a GSX-R750 or a CBR1000 next year

Do you always want to downshift when trying to pass quickly? I know in a car you can do that to use the turbo... down shift and punch it...is it same for a motorcycle?

whether or not your car has a turbo it will likely accelerate better upon downshifting from a cruising gear. onboard the sv I havent found it all that nessisary, a keen eye to keep things in order and effort to maintain a space cushion does much more to keep you safe than a stab to the left toe and a spin of the grip. for normal passing you should be just fine pulling in a little more throttle to get past, this is 6th gear at 75 or so, even around 65 it pulls pretty hard

svrider.com

or

sv650.org (british dudes)

lots more info on the sv's

I'm seriously considering selling the vstar and picking up one of these bikes... they are around the same $ value, so I shouldn't have to put up much cash. I only just got the vstar on the road a few weeks ago(put 1000km on it so far), but my commute includes 30km of freeway riding each way, and although I feel comfortable with the speed and traffic density. I feel like I'm strapped to a scud missile that's running out of fuel... the thing shakes like it's on crack, and revs super high just to maintain 100kmph(while the cages fly past me at 120-140 kmph) I wouldn't dare downshift to get more passing power:o It doesn't seem safe. So I've been taking the back roads through toronto, which takes a LOT longer. Since the vstar was free(won it at a bike show) I don't feel TOO bad, but it feels like I'm cheating on my girl(thinking about buying a different bike and all):)

Am I crazy or does all this seem reasonable? Keep in mind the vstar is my first street bike. I am 27, and have already come to terms with my mortality... I doubt the sv would be too much bike for me, as I have decent throttle control & a level head in panic situations, but I would like other's opinions who have been riding for a while.

talk me out of this! or don't. I don't know.

sit on it and see which you like better

Give it up and go with the SV. I just purchased it 2 months ago (this was my first bike as well) and I absolutely love it (even though the only thing i have to compare it to is a 2003 SV and a 250 Nighthawk from MSF). There is a lot of grunt down low but you don't have to give it a fist full if you don't want to. When you run over bumps or something on the street that might make you blip the throttle unexpectantly a little when learning, its not enough to bring up the front wheel or anything that will scare the crap out of you (although if you want to wheelie eventually, you can). It gets up to highway speeds in no time at all an once you're there, you're just buzzing along and you feel like there is pleny of power left and the machine isnt' working to hard. It doesn't shake or anything, fairly resistant to wind too....I can't say enough good things about it, I love it! If you weren't in Canada (I think thats where you are) I'd let you take mine for a spin!

Ok, so I went to the dealership this morning... I sat on the sv650s... That is a big bike! I loved it, was able to stretch out, felt great on my knees. They didn't have the sv650 to compare, but I imagine it's just more upright with the same footpeg position correct?

I also sat on a Vstrom, I was made for that bike but it's just way too ugly to take home.

The sales guy was awsome, he insisted I sit on the bikes, and would hold it for me so I could put my feet on the pegs, and was even trying to convince me too keep the vstar till the end of the season, when the prices come down some...